Submerged fermentation of lentil protein isolate and its impact on protein functionality, nutrition, and volatile profiles.

Fermentation of pulses as a clean processing technique has been reported to have a favorable impact on the functional and nutritional quality of the starting materials. Compared to commonly fermented pulses such as peas and chickpeas, limited information is available on the effect of fermentation on lentils, especially when using a high protein isolate (>80% protein) as compared to seeds or flours. Therefore, in the present work, lentil protein isolate was used as a feedstock for submerged fermentation with Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, or Lactobacillus plantarum. After 48 h, the samples showed increased protein content with enhanced solubility and oil-holding capacity. Controlled fermentation, as opposed to spontaneous fermentation, maintained the high foaming capacity; however, all fermented samples had lower foam and emulsion stabilizing properties and reduced water-holding capacity compared to the control. The fermented proteins were also less digestible, possibly due to an increase in phenolics and saponins. New volatile compounds were identified in fermented samples that show promise for improved sensory attributes. Significant differences were observed in specific quality attributes depending on the microbial strain used. Further research is required to better understand the fermentative metabolism of microbial communities when provided high-protein lentil ingredients as growth substrates. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Fermented lentil protein isolate has promising flavor profiles that may improve its sensory properties for food application.

Association between PTCH1 and RAD54B Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Non-syndromic Orofacial Clefts in the Northeast Population of Iran.

Background: Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip with or without cleft Palate (NSCL/P) is a common developmental disorder of the head and neck with a multifactorial etiology. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential association of PTCH1 (rs10512248) and RAD54B (rs12681366) polymorphisms with NSCL/P in the Northeast Iranian population. Methods: In the present study, blood samples were taken from 122 subjects with NSCL/P and 161 healthy controls. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) were used to conduct genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Results: Although differences were observed between cases and controls in rs10512248 and rs12681366, our data did not support a significant association of these polymorphisms with NSCL/P in our population. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that polymorphisms of rs10512248 and rs12681366 may not be potential risk factors for NSCL/P in the Northeast Iranian population due to the multifactorial and multiethnicity characteristics of some genes.

Additional Manufactured Interim Restorations: a Review on the Literature.

Interim restorations are essential in many clinical scenarios in which indirect restorations are administered. Additional manufacturing (AM) technology has recently been introduced and applied in different fields of dental practice. This study aimed to collect relevant information from published papers regarding different aspects of AM temporary restorations with a focus on the most relevant technical properties. An electronic search was performed on Medline/ PubMed/ Scopus databases up to April 2020 to find relevant, peer-reviewed articles about AM provisional restoration. Although promising results for AM temporary restorations were obtained, comprehensive application of this technology in making provisional restorations requires information to address the missing properties concerning the short time of application.

Novel implications of a strictly monomorphic (GCC) repeat in the human PRKACB gene.

PRKACB (Protein Kinase CAMP-Activated Catalytic Subunit Beta) is predominantly expressed in the brain, and regulation of this gene links to neuroprotective effects against tau and Aß-induced toxicity. Here we studied a (GCC)-repeat spanning the core promoter and 5' UTR of this gene in 300 human subjects, consisting of late-onset neurocognitive disorder (NCD) (N = 150) and controls (N = 150). We also implemented several models to study the impact of this repeat on the three-dimensional (3D) structure of DNA. While the PRKACB (GCC)-repeat was strictly monomorphic at 7-repeats, we detected two 7/8 genotypes only in the NCD group. In all examined models, the (GCC)7 and its periodicals had the least range of divergence variation on the 3D structure of DNA in comparison to the 8-repeat periodicals and several hypothetical repeat lengths. A similar inert effect on the 3D structure was not detected in other classes of short tandem repeats (STRs) such as GA and CA repeats. In conclusion, we report monomorphism of a long (GCC)-repeat in the PRKACB gene in human, its inert effect on DNA structure, and enriched divergence in late-onset NCD. This is the first indication of natural selection for a monomorphic (GCC)-repeat, which probably evolved to function as an "epigenetic knob", without changing the regional DNA structure.

Adaptation and Retention of Conventional and Digitally Fabricated Posts and Cores in Round and Oval-Shaped Canals.

PURPOSE: To compare the adaptation of conventional cast posts and cores to digitally milled counterparts in round and oval-shaped canals and to evaluate the retention of the milled posts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One cast post and one milled post were fabricated for each of the 26 selected teeth, which had either round or oval-shaped canals. The apical gap was evaluated with radiography, and coronal adaptation was evaluated by weighing the silicon wash trapped between the post and canal wall and also by comparing the volumes of the stereolithographic models. The milled posts were cemented with self-curing glass-ionomer, and the pullout test was performed to evaluate retention. A two-way analysis of variance and independent t test were used for statistical analyses, with α = .05. RESULTS: Conventional cast posts and cores revealed significantly higher coronal adaptation and less apical gap than the milled groups (P < .001), irrespective of the type of canal. Within the milled groups, there was no significant difference between the coronal adaptation of posts in the round and oval canals. On the contrary, the apical gap of milled posts was the least in the round canals (P = .024). The pull-out test revealed no statistically significant difference between the milled posts in the round and oval canals (P = .0864). CONCLUSION: Conventional cast posts and cores revealed significantly better adaptation compared to the milled group. However, the adequate adaptation of the milled posts to the coronal portions of the canals provided tolerable retention. Nevertheless, clinicians should be cautious with the application of the scan posts, particularly in oval canals, as they could result in a large apical gap.

Association of glutathione S-transferases M1, P1 and T1 variations and risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder. Associations of the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) polymorphisms with the risk factors for AD have not been definitely confirmed. We investigated the association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null deletion and GSTP1 313 A/G polymorphisms and the risk of AD in an Iranian population. METHODS: The case group consisted of 280 individuals with AD and the control group included 168 age-matched healthy individuals. The genotyping of the GSTP1 polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP and the GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions were done by multiplex PCR method. RESULTS: The GSTP1 AG genotype was significantly lower (p = 0.005; OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38-0.84) in the patients (41.1%) than the control group (56.5%). The GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the patients (40.5%) than the control group (15.8%). The GSTT1 null genotype was significantly higher (p < 0.038) in the patients (31.2%) than the control group (21.5%). The patients homozygous for the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null alleles showed a 3.5 and 1.5-fold increased risk of AD, respectively. There were interaction between GSTP1 AG genotype and absence of APOE e4 allele (p = 0.001), as well as presence of APOE ε4 and GSTM1 null genotype (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that GSTM1 and GSTT1 null deletions may be associated with susceptibility to AD and people with APOE e4 and GSTM1 null deletion have a higher increased risk for Late-onset AD in Iranian population.

Glucocorticoids Interact with Cholinergic System in Impairing Memory Reconsolidation of an Inhibitory Avoidance Task in Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies suggest that glucocorticoids modulate memory reconsolidation. Moreover, cholinergic system is involved in memory reconsolidation. Since glucocorticoids interact with brain cholinergic system in modulating memory processing, we investigated whether glucocorticoid influences on the reconsolidation of emotionally arousing training depend on the cholinergic system. METHODS: Mice were trained (1mA, 3s footshock) in an inhibitory avoidance task. Forty-eight hours after training, memory reactivation was occurred (Test 1), and different treatments were given. Two (Test 2), five (Test 3), and seven days (Test 4) after memory reactivation (Test 1), animals were retested for fear memory retention. RESULTS: In the first experiment, we observed that administration of corticosterone (CORT, 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg) following memory reactivation impaired subsequent expression of memory in a dose-dependent manner. In the second experiment, we found that CORT-induced impairment of memory reconsolidation was reversed by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (0.5 and 2 mg/kg). In the third experiment, the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecaylamine (0.5 or 2 mg/kg) was not able to block the corticosterone response. DISCUSSION: These findings indicate that glucocorticoids impair memory reconsolidation by a muscarinic cholinergic mechanism.

The effect of intra-peritoneal administration of Papaver bracteatum Lindl. extract on development of NMRI mice oocytes treated with Doxorubicin.

PURPOSE: The effect of water-alcohol Papaver bracteatum Lindl. extract on development of mice oocytes treated with Doxorubicin (dox) was examined in this study. METHODS: The mice were classified into four groups. Control group, mice injected intraperitoneally (IP) with saline. Extract group alone, mice treated with 200 mg/kg of body weight (bw), IP, twelve consecutive days. Dox group alone, mice were given dox, IP, 10 mg/kg bw. Experimental group treated with extract and dox together. Effect of the extract on the development of mice oocytes treated with dox were evaluated through assisted reproductive technology techniques (ARTs). RESULTS: Developmental rate and blastocyst formation was improved by using the extract. A significant increase in in vitro developmental competence in comparison with dox group (P < 0.05) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that P. bracteatum Lindl. extract could prevent dox toxicity of dox affecting both follicle or oocytes, and therefore it can result in improved embryo development which was observed in mice treated with dox plus P. bracteatum Lindl. compared to mice treated with dox alone.